Sheffield Wednesday: No time for panic as Carvalhal stays cool ahead of Cardiff City clash

Owls head coach Carlos Carvalhal is all smiles during the 1-1 draw with Derby County

Liam Hoden

Published:22:56Sunday 24 April 2016

Carlos Carvalhal insists he has no concerns about Sheffield Wednesday’s short run without a win as they head towards an expected play-off campaign.

Wednesday drew 1-1 at Derby County on Saturday, their fourth game without a win after being beaten at Bristol City and held by Ipswich and MK Dons.

Head coach Carvalhal says he has taken plenty of positives from his side’s performances and believes they are on the right track.

“You have seen the games so you know what I will say,” he told The Star.

“You have seen the game against Ipswich, you saw the game against MK Dons and you saw the game at Derby.

“The people saw the game on TV and I am sure everybody is saying we are in a good way, we are playing good football. There are no problems about that.”

Wednesday’s cushion in sixth place is now down to four points with two games to go following Saturday’s draw and Cardiff City’s last gasp win over Bolton Wanderers.

While admitted he was slightly disappointed to not effectively secure a play-off place on Saturday, Carvalhal says he feels no frustration that Wednesday have not made certain a top six finish before now.

He said: “This is football - it is a marathon.

“We must play against all the opponents through the season and at the end we must see where we are.

“I am happy with the team, happy with the performance. We achieved one more point and this is important.

“After, let us see what happens. We have another game on Saturday and another one with Wolves on the next Saturday.”

Carvalhal said he had expected Sam Hutchinson to return to the Owls squad at the weekend but the midfielder did not feel 100 per cent after his bout of illness.

He said: “Sam was training and training very well but on Friday I spoke with him and he felt no energy.

“His body has not completely stabilised but I think he will be near to come back to us.”